Ultrasonic syringe

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic syringe for delivery and withdrawal of fluids from a human and/or animal patient. The ultrasonic syringe apparatus comprises a generator, a movable ultrasound transducer, a barrel, an ultrasound transducer tip, a radiation surface, an orifice located at the front end of the barrel, and a syringe head. The apparatus may further comprise a channel, a valve located on the distal end of the channel, and an orifice within the side wall which enables fluids to be delivered into the barrel. Ultrasonic waves emitting from the radiation surface induce vibrations within the fluids, sonicating the fluids, thereby eliminating the pain and discomfort associated with receiving injections, reducing and/or eliminating the force required to administer the injection, decreasing delivery time of the fluids into the body, and delivering ultrasonic energy to the tissue via the sonicated fluids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a medical apparatus for the delivery orwithdrawal of fluids from a patient, and more particularly, to anultrasonic syringe.

Various infections, conditions, and diseases of the body can bedifficult to treat with out the administering of medications viatransdermal injections. Different types of fluids, such as, but notlimited to, medications, vaccines, water, saline solutions, and bloodproducts can be injected into the body or withdrawn from the body. Inmedical practice, such fluids are administered in several ways, such as,but not limited to subcutaneously, intravenously, and/or intramuscularlydepending on an identified treatment purpose. Also, injections are thebest way to deliver a precise dose of medication quickly. When given,fluids such as drugs are immediately delivered to the blood stream, andtend to take effect more quickly than when given by any other route.

The fluids are typically administered to the patient or withdrawn fromthe patient by a practitioner, who may be a physician, nurse, orderly,nurse practitioner, or other such individual.

A typical manual syringe is a device for introducing and/or injectingfluids into or withdrawing them from the body. Generally, a syringeconsists of a hypodermic needle attached to a hollow cylinder that isfitted with a sliding plunger. Fluid is expelled from the syringe whenthe plunger is depressed. Physical force is needed to push in theplunger in order to discharge fluid into the patient's body. Thepractitioner administering the injection is required to use physicalforce to discharge the fluid from the syringe into the body. Such use ofphysical force can cause injury not only to the patient but also to thepractitioner administering the injections.

The physical force required to administer the injection causes tensionand/or pain on the practitioner's arms, shoulders, fingers and/or thumb,especially since several injections are administered to differentpatients each day. Furthermore, it is very painful for the patient whenthe hypodermic needle is inserted into the body with such physicalforce. The patient is typically already in pain and receiving theinjection should not increase the pain.

These manual syringe devices provide uneven thumb and/or finger pressurewhen injection is being, delivered, the practitioner has very littlecontrol over the flow rate of the fluid exiting the hypodermic needle,there is also very poor control of hypodermic needle tip which can leadto damage to skin, tissue and/or veins, and generally unnecessary painand discomfort in patient.

Various powered and/or electrical syringes are also present in the priorart. These devices were developed to overcome the problems associatedwith manual syringes, however, these electronically and/or mechanicallypowered syringes are not without problems. These devices do not reduceand/or eliminate the pain and discomfort associated with receivinginjections, sonicate fluids prior to and during delivery into the body,and are sometimes cumbersome to use.

Current syringes fail to eliminate the pain and/or discomfort associatedwith administering an injection to the body of a patient. Additionally,such syringes fail to decrease drug delivery time and force required inadministering the injection. Hence, there is a need for a syringe withfaster administration time, eliminating the pressure on thepractitioner's arms, shoulders, fingers and/or thumb, especially sinceseveral injections are administered to different patients each day,therefore increasing the quality of work life for the practitioner, andreducing the time spent delivering drugs via injections to the body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Apparatus and methods in accordance with the present inventions mayresolve many of the needs and shortcomings discussed above and willprovide additional improvements and advantages as will be recognized bythose skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure.

The present inventions provide an ultrasonic syringe for delivering andwithdrawing fluids from the body. The ultrasonic syringe apparatuscomprises an ultrasound generator, a movable ultrasound transducer, atransducer tip at the distal end of the ultrasound transducer, aradiation surface at distal end of transducer tip, a barrel, and asyringe head.

The apparatus of the present invention may further comprise anattachment stub configured into the barrel. The attachment stub mayinclude a valve for the regulation of the flow of fluid into the barrel.Ultrasonic waves emitting through the transducer tip at the radiationsurface may sonicate fluid contained within the cavity defined by thebarrel and the transducer tip by inducing vibrations within thesefluids. The sonicated fluids may then be injected into the body througha hypodermic needle that may be attached to the syringe head. This usein sonodynamic therapy provides for the activation of therapeutic agentsby the ultrasound essentially at the same time it is being administeredto the body.

Sonicating fluids prior and during delivery to the body provides severaladvantages to the patient, such as, but not limited to, eliminationand/or reduction of pain and discomfort from receiving the injection,elimination of tissue damage during injection, and reduction ofinfection in the patient as a result of the anesthetic and antimicrobialproperties of ultrasound.

The ultrasonic syringe may enable the practitioner administering theinjection to do so without applying physical force, therefore, physicalforce may be decreased and/or eliminated. The ultrasonic waves emittedfrom the radiation surface within the barrel may push the fluids throughthe hypodermic needle into the body.

Injecting fluids subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, and/orthrough catheters into the body with the present invention may entailfilling the cavity portion of the ultrasonic syringe barrel with theselected fluids, activating the transducer and depressing the ultrasoundtransducer. The ultrasound transducer may be depressed manually ormechanically. When depressed manually, minimal force may be required topush the transducer down because the ultrasonic waves emitting from theradiation surface reduces the physical force required by thepractitioner to depress the transducer. The ultrasound waves emittingthrough the radiation surface at the distal end of the ultrasound tipinduce vibrations within the barrel causing the fluids to be sonicated.The pumping action provided by the ultrasound energy emitted from theultrasound transducer may also be controlled by adjusting the amplitudeof the ultrasonic vibrations. Sonicated fluids may move through theorifice located at the front end of the barrel to the syringe head, andmay be injected into the patient's body.

The ultrasonic syringe also has the ability of enhancing therapeuticeffects and reducing the force required for injection by changing theviscosity of the fluid being injected through the action of theultrasound energy on the fluid physical properties.

The present invention may be used to introduce and/or deliver fluidsinto the body. Activating the ultrasound transducer creates vibrationswithin the transducer tip resulting in the emission of ultrasonic wavesfrom the radiation surface. The ultrasonic waves induce vibrationswithin the fluids in the barrel. Ultrasonic waves coming in contact withthe fluids sonicate and activate the fluids as they are delivered intothe body.

The barrel of the present invention holds the fluid before it may beinjected into the body of a patient. The width of the barrel may bevariable and depends on the use; such as use on a human body, or use onan animal, and/or on the amount of fluids needed. The barrel may befabricated from a disposable and/or autoclavable plastic material,polymer, metal, glass, and/or any combination thereof. Materialselection may be based on the desired effect of the barrel on theemitted ultrasound waves. Depending on the particular application, itmay be desirable for the barrel to reflect ultrasound waves, adsorbultrasound waves or transmit ultrasound waves and materials ofconstruction would be selected accordingly. The barrel may be formed ina variety of shapes such as, but not limited to cylindrical, oval and/orrectangular. The back end may be the area opposite and away from thesyringe head. The front end of the barrel may be located at the proximalend of the syringe head. An orifice located at the front end of thebarrel serves to transport the fluids out of the barrel. An orificelocated at the back end of the barrel receives the transducer tip withinthe barrel.

The ultrasound transducer of the present invention may be located at theback end of the barrel. The ultrasound transducer may be imbedded intothe barrel and/or detachable from the barrel. An ultrasound generatormay be connected to the ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound generatorand transducer may be a single piece imbedded into each other.Alternatively, the ultrasound transducer may be battery operated. Theultrasound transducer may be a movable part that slides forward andbackwards within the barrel. Sliding forward, the ultrasound transducerpushes the fluids in the barrel towards an orifice located at the frontend of the barrel. Emitted ultrasonic energy eases the push of thefluids, consequently, the fluids in the barrel exit the orifice movingthrough the hypodermic needle into the patient's body.

The present invention may also be used to withdraw fluids, such as, butnot limited to blood samples, from the body of a human and/or animalpatient. After the hypodermic needle may be introduced into the bodyfrom which the fluid sample may be to be withdrawn, the ultrasoundtransducer may be activated creating a vacuum within the barrel. Theultrasound transducer may be pulled back away from the front end of thebarrel manually and/or by mechanical means. As the transducer may bepulled back away from the front end of the barrel towards the back end,ultrasonic waves induce vibrations within the drawn fluids in thebarrel.

Alternatively, fluids may be introduced into the barrel through one ormultiple orifices within the side wall of the barrel. In an alternativeembodiment, the present invention may comprise an orifice located withinthe side wall of the barrel, and a valve. The orifice may furthercomprise a channel originating from the orifice located within the sidewall of the barrel and terminating at a valve. The valve may be locatedat the distal end of the channel. Fluids may be delivered to the barrelthrough the valve. The valve further prevents fluids from flowing backout from the orifice within the side wall of the barrel into thechannel. The valve may be manually and/or mechanically controlled.

At least one of the materials may, but need not, be a carrier for atleast one of the other materials utilized. Acceptable carriers mayinclude, but are not limited to, water, a saline solution, and/oralcohol. At least one of the materials may, but need not, be apharmaceutical or therapeutic agent. Preferably, at least one of thematerials is preferably capable of eliciting a positive therapeuticeffect, such as, but not limited to oxygen.

The vibrations induced by the ultrasound energy in the barrel, and thesonicated fluids reduce patient pain during the administration of theinjection. Penetration force may be also decreased. The ultrasonic wavesreduce the physical force required to administer the injection, hence,reducing the tension and/or eliminating the pain in the practitioner'sarms, shoulders, fingers and/or thumb. Ultrasonic waves may be alsodelivered to the tissue via sonicated fluids providing therapeuticbenefits to the patient.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a dimensional schematic view of aspects of anexemplary embodiment of an ultrasonic syringe according to the presentinventions.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of aspects of an embodiment of anultrasonic syringe according to the present inventions;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of aspects of an exemplary embodiment ofan ultrasonic syringe according to the present invention including anattachment stub.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The figures generally illustrate embodiments of an ultrasonic syringe 10including aspects of the present inventions. The particular exemplaryembodiments of the ultrasonic syringe 10 illustrated in the figures havebeen chosen for ease of explanation and understanding of various aspectsof the present inventions. These illustrated embodiments are not meantto limit the scope of coverage but instead to assist in understandingthe context of the language used in this specification and the appendedclaims. Accordingly, many variations from the illustrated embodimentsmay be encompassed by the appended claims.

The present inventions provide an ultrasonic syringe 10 for the deliveryof fluids 25 to a patient or the withdrawal of fluids 25 from a patient.The ultrasonic syringe 10 according to the present invention may provideincreased comfort to the patient as well as to the practitioneradministering the fluid 25. The effectiveness of the delivery of thefluid 25 may also be increased by the ultrasonic syringe 10 according tothe present inventions.

As generally illustrated throughout the Figures, the ultrasonic syringe10 generally includes an ultrasound generator 15 connected to a movableultrasound transducer 20. A transducer tip 30 may be located at thedistal end of the ultrasound transducer 20. The distal end of thetransducer tip 30 may be configured as a radiation surface 40. At leastportions of the transducer tip may be slideably received inside a barrel50. An orifice 60 located at the front end of barrel 50 defines apassage 56 to syringe head 70. Hypodermic needle 140 may be affixed tosyringe head 70. Fluid 25 may be loaded into the barrel of theultrasonic syringe 10 and sonicated by the radiation surface of thetransducer tip 30 as the fluid is injected from the barrel 50 throughthe hypodermic needle 140 into a patient. Similarly, fluid may besonicated by the radiation surface 40 of the transducer tip 30 while thefluid 25 is withdrawn through the hypodermic needle 140 into the barrel50 of the ultrasonic syringe 10 from the patient.

The ultrasound generator 15 may produce an electrical signal havingvarious frequencies. The electrical signal may be then supplied to theultrasound transducer 20 to drive the ultrasound transducer 20. A powersource such as a battery or mains electric may be connected to theultrasound generator 15 to provide electrical power to the ultrasoundgenerator 15 for generation of the electrical signal. The ultrasoundgenerator 15 may be configured to produce an electrical signal having aconstant signal frequency or may be configured to produce an electricalsignal having a variable signal frequency controllable by, for example,the practitioner.

In some embodiments, the signal frequency may be controlledautomatically by the ultrasound generator 15. Such embodiments of theultrasound generator may include feedback from the ultrasound transducer20 and/or the transducer tip 30 so that the ultrasound generator 10 maydetect resonance of the transducer tip 30. The ultrasound generator 10may then adjust the frequency of the electrical signal in order toresonate the transducer tip 30.

The ultrasound transducer 20 converts the electrical signal supplied bythe ultrasound generator 15 into a mechanical oscillation. Thetransducer tip 30 maybe mechanically connected to the ultrasoundtransducer 20 so that the mechanical oscillation may be transmitted tothe transducer tip 30 by the ultrasound transducer 20 to excite thetransducer tip 30. The mechanical oscillation has an oscillationfrequency that generally corresponds to the signal frequency supplied tothe ultrasound transducer 20 by the ultrasound generator 15. Thus, thetransducer tip 30 may be excited by the ultrasound transducer 20 at anoscillation frequency that generally corresponds to the signal frequencysupplied to the ultrasound transducer 20 by the ultrasound generator 15.

The signal driving the ultrasound transducer may be a sinusoidal wave,square wave, triangular wave, trapezoidal wave, or any combinationthereof.

The ultrasound transducer 20 may use piezoelectric crystals which havethe property of changing size in response to changes in voltage toexcite the transducer tip 30. Alternatively, the ultrasound transducer20 may employ magnetostrictive materials or may be configured in otherways that would be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review ofthe present disclosure.

The transducer tip 30 may be excited at an oscillation frequency by theultrasound transducer 20, which may induce a corresponding tip vibrationin the transducer tip 30. The tip frequency, meaning the frequency atwhich the transducer tip 30 vibrates, may generally approximate theoscillation frequency and harmonics of the oscillation frequency of theultrasound transducer 20. Accordingly, the tip frequency of thetransducer tip 30 may be controlled by adjusting the signal frequencyproduced by the ultrasound generator 15 and, hence, the oscillationfrequency of the ultrasound transducer 20.

The horn utilized may be capable of vibrating in resonance at afrequency of approximately 16 kHz or greater. The ultrasonic vibrationstraveling down the horn may have an amplitude of approximately 1 micronor greater. It is preferred that the horn utilized be capable ofvibrating in resonance at a frequency between approximately 20 kHz andapproximately 200 kHz.

The transducer tip 30 may be configured to resonate generally at thesignal frequency of range of signal frequencies produced by theultrasound generator 15 so that the transducer tip 30 resonates whenexited by the ultrasound transducer 20. The transducer tip 30 may beconfigured with a radiation surface 40 which may be generally a distalportion of the transducer tip 30. Ultrasonic waves 90 generated byexcitation of the transducer tip 30 may then emanate from the radiationsurface 40.

The barrel 50 of the ultrasonic syringe 10 defines an interior barrelsurface 52 and an exterior barrel surface 54, and the interior barrelsurface 52 defines a passage 56. Portions of the transducer tip 30including the radiation surface 40 may extend into the passage 56 andmay be sealably and slideably received within said passage 56 so thatthe portions of the transducer tip 30 including the radiation surface 40in combination with the interior barrel surface 52 define a cavity 58capable of containing the fluid 25 with the passage 56. A seal 80 orcombination of seals 80 may be provided in some embodiments such thatthe transducer tip 30 may be sealably received within the passage 56.The seal may be constructed of a resilient elastomer to reduce thetransmission of vibrations from the transducer tip to the barrel and thehypodermic needle 140. A portion of the cavity 58 may be defined by theradiation surface 40 so that ultrasonic waves emitted from the radiationsurface would be directed into the fluid 25 contained within the cavity58 to sonicate the fluid 25.

The barrel 50 may also be configured with a syringe head, which may be apoint of attachment for a hypodermic needle 140. The syringe head 70 maybe formed in portions of the exterior barrel surface 54. Variousfeatures may be included in the syringe head 70 for the attachment of ahypodermic needle 140 such as seals and threading. In some embodiments,a portion of the interior barrel surface 52 may be configured as anorifice 60 to form a path of fluid communication between the cavity 58and the syringe head 70 so that fluid 25 may pass between the cavity 58and the hypodermic needle 140 attached at the syringe head through theorifice 60 for delivery to or withdrawal from the patient.

The hypodermic needle 140 may be a hollow needle that defines a needlelumen 146 from a proximal needle end 144 to a distal needle end 142through which the fluid 25 may pass for delivery to or from a patient.The hypodermic needle 140 may be mack* of stainless steel or othersuitable materials. The proximal needle end 144 may be configured forattachment to the ultrasonic syringe 10 at the syringe head 70. Whenattached to the ultrasonic syringe 10, the needle lumen 146 may be influid communication with the cavity 58 so that fluid 25 may pass betweenthe cavity 58 and the distal needle end 142. The distal needle end 142may be formed into a point, may include a sharpened edge, and otherwiseconfigured to readily puncture skin and other bodily tissues. Thehypodermic needle 140 may be of various sizes which may be selected bythe practitioner depending upon the particular application.

In some embodiments, the volume of the cavity 58 may be adjusted bysliding the transducer tip 30 within the passage 56. By sliding thetransducer within the passage 56, fluid 25 may be forced from the cavity58 through die orifice 60 and through the hypodermic needle 140 anddelivered to the patient. Similarly, by sliding the transducer tip 30within the passage 56, fluid 25 may be withdrawn from the patientthrough the hypodermic needle 140 attached at the syringe head 70,through the orifice 60 and into the cavity 58. Such embodiments would beuseful, for example, for the delivery of a single measured dose of fluid25 to a patient. Accordingly, the barrel may include various markingindicative of the volume of the cavity 58 passed upon the position ofthe transducer tip 30 within the passage 56.

In other embodiments, the volume of the cavity 58 may remain relativelyconstant. In these embodiments, the barrel 50 may further include anattachment stub 130 configured, for example, to allow fluidcommunication between a reservoir and the ultrasonic syringe 10 so thatthe ultrasonic syringe could be used to deliver, for example, salinesolution to the patient. The attachment stub 130 may be configured invarious ways to enable connection of the ultrasonic syringe 10 to thereservoir of fluid 25 and may include various attachment mechanisms aswould be understood by those skilled in the art upon review of thisdisclosure. A tube, for example, may be attached to the reservoir and tothe attachment stub 130. The tube may be attached to a reservoir to forma path of fluid communication between the reservoir and the cavity 58which passes through the tube and through the attachment stub 130. Theattachment feature may include a valve 110 configured to control theflux of fluid 25 through the attachment stub 130. Such embodiments maybe useful for a more continuous delivery of fluid 25 to or from thepatient.

The ultrasound energy may be used to activate the therapeutic agenteither directly or indirectly through oxygenation, the production offree radicals and/or ozone. The potential for ultrasound to producecavitation and micro-streaming can be utilized for some embodiments.

Turning now to the Figures aspects of the present inventions includingthe ultrasonic syringe 10 may he depicted in FIG. 1. The ultrasonicsyringe 10 comprises an ultrasound generator 15 connected to a movableultrasound transducer 20, a transducer tip 30 located at the distal endof the ultrasound transducer 20, a radiation surface 40 at the distalend of the transducer tip 30, a barrel 50, an orifice 60 located at thefront end of barrel 50 and a syringe head 70. The ultrasound transducer20 may be integral with the transducer tip 30 as to form a single part.Alternatively, the ultrasound transducer 20 may be a separate pieceattached to the transducer tip 30 by mechanical or other means. Themeans of attaching the ultrasound transducer 20 to the transducer tip 30may be such as to allow the ultrasound transducer 20 to be removed andreplaced by the practitioner. Transducer tip 30 may be formed in avariety of shapes, such as, but not limited to, flat, round, and/or anycombination thereof. Ultrasound transducer 20 may be integral with thebarrel 50 so as to form a Single part. Alternatively, the ultrasoundtransducer 20 may be a separate piece attached to barrel 50 bymechanical or other means. It may be preferable to have ultrasoundtransducer 20 detachable from barrel 50. A detachable and/or removableultrasound transducer 20 from the barrel 50 enables the practitioner tochange barrel 50, clean and/or sanitize ultrasound transducer 20 and/orbarrel 50. Furthermore, the ability to change barrel 50 reduces thespread of diseases. Ultrasound transducer 20 may be connected toultrasound generator 15. Alternatively, ultrasound transducer 20 may bebattery operated whereby the battery (not shown) is inserted and/orimbedded into the ultrasound transducer 20.

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the ultrasonic syringe 10apparatus of the present invention where ultrasound transducer 20 may beslideably disposed inside the barrel 50. As illustrated in thisembodiment, a portion of the barrel may be configured to define anaperture 100 configured so that the transducer tip 30 may slideably passthrough the aperture 100.

As the ultrasound transducer 20 may be activated, ultrasonic waves 90traveling at a preselected frequency, amplitude, intensity and/or signalform may be sent through the ultrasound transducer 20 to the transducertip 30 and emitted from the radiation surface 40. Radiation surface 40of the present invention may be formed in a variety of shapes, such as,but not limited to, flat, conical, rounded and/or any combinationthereof. A flat surface may be preferred for embodiments that do notprefer focusing of the ultrasound waves. The proximal end of barrel 50may be the area in which the ultrasound transducer 20 may be eitherattached permanently and/or detachable from the barrel 50. The syringehead 70 may be located at the distal end of barrel 50. Alternatively,barrel 50 may have an opening or orifice 60 located at the back end thatreceives a detachable and/or removable ultrasound transducer 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, a seal 80 prevents fluid 25 from exiting the cavity58 by passing around portions of the transducer tip 30. Seal 80 alsoprevents air from entering into the cavity 58. Barrel 50 may bepre-filled with fluid 25 to be injected or the ultrasonic syringe 10 maybe filled by mechanically and/or manually pulling back ultrasoundtransducer 20. Ultrasound transducer 20 imbedded and/or attached tobarrel 50 may be activated with fluid 25 present within barrel 50.Ultrasound transducer 20 may be then depressed either mechanically by amotor (not pictured) and/or manually by pushing down ultrasoundtransducer 20. Ultrasonic energy at a pre-selected frequency may be sentthrough transducer tip 30 as ultrasound transducer 20 may be beingdepressed. Depressing ultrasound transducer 20 pushes the fluid 25 inthe barrel 50 forward towards center orifice 60.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasound transducer 20 may be movable,and depresses forward towards the front end of the barrel 50 whenpushed, mechanically and/or manually, and moves backwards towards theback end of barrel 50 when fluid 25 may be being withdrawn from thepatient. When ultrasound transducer 20 may be pulled back towards theback end of the barrel 50, it creates a vacuum which enables fluid 25 tobe withdrawn from the patient through center orifice 60 into the barrel50. Ultrasound transducer 20 moves forwards and backwards within barrel50. Radiation surface 40 emits ultrasonic waves 90 inducing vibrationsand sonicating the fluid 25 within the barrel 50 prior and duringdelivery to patient. The adjustability of the cavity 58 portion of thebarrel 50 allows for the optimization of standing waves to be generatedin the cavity 58. This allows the enhancement of micro cavitation andmicro-streaming as desired. Furthermore disinfection properties of theapparatus may be enhanced. Adjustability of the barrel also allowscontrol of the ultrasonic interaction of the ultrasound transducer 20with hypodermic needle 140. This permits focusing of ultrasound at orthrough the needle if desired.

Ultrasound transducer 20 may be fully depressed with radiation surface40 pushing out the sonicated fluid 25 through center orifice 60 into thebody via hypodermic needle 140. Hypodermic needle 140 may be affixed tosyringe head 70 by mechanical mean or other means. Hypodermic needle 140may be variable in size depending on the designated use, such as, butnot limited to use on large farm animals, such as cows, and horses.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment ofthe ultrasonic syringe 10 apparatus of the present invention comprisinga port 120 within the side wall of barrel 50, a attachment stub 130, anda valve 110 at the distal end of attachment stub 130. Attachment stub130 originates from port 120 and terminates at valve 110. The valve 110depicted may be manually controlled, although mechanically and/orautomatically controlled valves including check valves may also be usedwith the present invention. Fluid 25 may be introduced through valve 110into attachment stub 130. Fluid 25 may flow through attachment stub 130,entering through port 120 into barrel 50. Valve 110 prevents fluid 25entering into barrel 50 through port 120 on the side wall of barrel 50from flowing back out of port 120 on side wall of barrel 50 intoattachment stub 130. Preferably, this alternative embodiment may be usedfor delivery of fluid 25 to the patient. Activating ultrasoundtransducer 20 creates ultrasound vibrations within the fluid 25 inbarrel 50. Ultrasonic waves 90 coming in contact with fluid 25 withinthe barrel 50 sonicate the fluid 25 prior and during delivery topatients. Sonicated fluid 25 may be pushed through orifice 60 by acombination of the ultrasonic waves 90 and the depressing of ultrasoundtransducer 20.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose maybe substituted for the specific embodiments. It is to be understood thatthe above description is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive. The disclosed steps of the methods are not intended to berestricted to the order listed. Combinations of the above embodimentsand; other embodiments will be apparent to those having skill in the artupon review of the present disclosure. The scope of the presentinvention should be determined with reference to the appended claims,along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims areentitled.

1. An ultrasonic syringe for delivery or withdrawal of a fluidcomprising: an ultrasound generator; an ultrasound transducer connectedto the ultrasound generator; a transducer tip attached to the ultrasoundtransducer; a radiation surface formed at the distal end of thetransducer tip, wherein ultrasound waves assist the movement of theradiation surface within a barrel; and an orifice at the distal end ofthe barrel.
 2. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 also having a cavitywithin the barrel between the orifice and the radiation surface forholding the fluid.
 3. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 2 wherein thefluid is ultrasonically activated.
 4. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1wherein the ultrasound transducer is moveable within the barrel.
 5. Theultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the ultrasound transducer isremovably affixed in the barrel.
 6. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1also having a seal between the transducer tip and the barrel.
 7. Theultrasonic syringe of claim 1 also having a hypodermic needle removablyfastened to the distal end of the barrel.
 8. The ultrasonic syringe ofclaim 1 wherein the fluid is a therapeutic agent.
 9. The ultrasonicsyringe of claim 1 wherein the radiation surface is flat.
 10. Theultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the radiation surface is concave.11. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the radiation surface isconvex.
 12. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the radiationsurface is flat.
 13. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 also having ameans for focusing ultrasound waves.
 14. The ultrasonic syringe of claim1 wherein the fluid is in transferred from the barrel to a hypodermicneedle through the orifice.
 15. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1wherein ultrasound waves assist the transfer of the fluid from thebarrel to a hypodermic needle through the orifice.
 16. The ultrasonicsyringe of claim 1 wherein the radiation surface emits ultrasound wavesat a wavelength within a range of 1 micron to 300 microns.
 17. Theultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the radiation surface emitsultrasound waves at a frequency between 20 kHz and 20 mHz.
 18. Anultrasonic syringe for delivery or withdrawal of a fluid comprising: anultrasound generator; an ultrasound transducer connected to theultrasound generator; a transducer tip attached to the ultrasoundtransducer; a radiation surface formed at the distal end of thetransducer tip, wherein ultrasound waves assist the movement of theradiation surface within a barrel; an orifice at the distal end of thebarrel; and an attachment stub located on the barrel radial surface. 19.The ultrasonic syringe of claim 18 also having a cavity within thebarrel between the orifice and the radiation surface for holding thefluid.
 20. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 18 having a valve portion ofthe attachment stub.
 21. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 18 wherein thefluid is in communication from the attachment stub to a hypodermicneedle through the orifice.
 22. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 18wherein the cavity receives the fluid through the attachment stub. 23.The ultrasonic syringe of claim 18 wherein the fluid is a therapeuticagent activated by ultrasound waves.
 24. The ultrasonic syringe of claim18 also having a means for focusing ultrasound waves.